Claims in respect of non-fatal accidents at work in the third quarter decreased by 66, or 7.4 per cent, compared to the corresponding period in 2013. Three fatalities at work were reported.

Non-Fatal Accidents

Administrative records indicate that 827 persons suffered a non-fatal accident at work during the third quarter this year. Manufacturing was the economic  activity in which most accidents at work took place, with a share of 17.0 per cent of the total. Other economic sectors where accidents were quite common included Construction (16.3 per cent) and Transportation and Storage (13.1 per cent).

When compared to last year, the number of non-fatal accidents went down by 61 in Manufacturing and by 20 in Accommodation and food service activities. On the other hand, increases were registered in Public Administration and Defence; compulsory social security (34). The largest share of non-fatal accidents at work during the quarter under review involved persons in elementary occupations and those working in crafts and related trades.

Wounds and superficial injuries, were the most common types of injuries, amounting to 514 cases. Over the corresponding period last year, wounds and superficial injuries increased by 13.5 per cent (Table 6). The majority of non-fatal accidents at work, 44.9 per cent, involved injuries which affected the upper parts of the body of the victim, such as the fingers and hands.

In the quarter under review, the majority of non-fatal accidents at work took place in enterprises employing 500 or more workers. 

Fatal Accidents

Between July and September, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) reported 3 fatal accidents at work.